Both state employee unions approve new labor contracts

The two unions that represent most Minnesota state employees announced Monday that workers have approved new contracts.

The Minnesota Association of Professional Employees says 97 percent of those voting supported the deal, the Associated Press reports. In addition, Council 5 of the American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees approved a contract. Details of that vote were not released.

In its announcement, MAPE said its 13,000 employees will receive three percent raises in each of the contract's two years. In exchange the union has agreed workers will pay more of the cost of their health insurance premiums.

ADVERTISEMENT

Thanks for watching!

The Pioneer Press reports workers have agreed to begin paying 5 percent of the premiums for single coverage, which was previously covered by the state. Employees will continue to pay 15 percent of the premiums for coverage of dependents.

Now that they've been approved by the unions, the contracts will head to a legislative subcommittee on employee relations and to the full Legislature for final approval in 2014, MAPE says.